Hi I have been using linux for probably just over a year or two now and I love it. My biggest annoyance and probably the the only one is that every distribution I use I must compile my own packages for common codec support. I am talking about AAC , Mp3, DVD playback. These are all available open source but it seems as if most people are afraid to include them. Other than that I am pretty easy going and don't ask a lot of my distrobutions. Can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks,
turk

No distro that I have used includes DVD playback for encrypted DVDs automatically because of different international laws. However it is possible to get DVD playback. For instance if you use Mandrake you'll have to use urpmi to add plf rpms to your package manager.

That's just one example.

For mp3 playback, you need to install xmms. For mp3 conversion install grip, lame, etc....

These are just a few suggestions. I'm sure someone will come along with more.

Also googling will provide many answers as well.

thank you. I have spent many an hour on google. As a foolish windows user I used Itunes and all my ripped cds are encoded in AAC fromat. This is a royal pain in the ass to get working. I finally got it on suse but it took way too long for my tastes. I have to setup my new laptop in a few months and I want to have the AAC support without hours of i don't mind have to add odd sources to my package managers but i do mind having to track down multiple package versions and do multiple install/uninstalls of different packages.
grip and lame do they do conversion, that was one option I was considering.

thank you though

I use grip for converting my cds to mp3 and lame on the command line for anything already on the hard drive. There are frontends for lame, but I'm partial to doing it on the command line, which is always good to know in case the frontend does not work.

Also once you add those sources to your package manager they will automatically install any dependencies required for the software you choose to install. Which leaves out having to track them down.

it seems no one offers these things as choices off the bat but........................
with modifications suse can install the codecs
http://www.madpenguin.org/cms/?m=show&id=3601
that should let you use apt in suse

debian ( i am running sid)
add sources to your list
##RAREWARES AAC/MP4 (faad2, faac, aac/mp4 playback plugins)
deb http://pessoal.onda.com.br/rjamorim/deb a scrian/ ./

and after installing libdvdread3 run a script( i will update tomorrow morning with the location of the script) and it will download and install libdvdcss for you.
/usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/examples/install-css.sh



redhat its popular enough try rpmfind.net


if anyone knows any distros that will include these without the extra searching please let me know but i guess this is the answer for the time being.

You could also try www.backports.org for debian.